Count trials as joy because testing produces patience; ask God generously for wisdom.
2My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
Key phrases: patience but let patience; patience have its perfect; perfect and complete lacking; count it all joy; fall into various trials; joy when you fall
Faithful patriarchs died as strangers, seeking the better heavenly homeland God prepared.
13These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
Key phrases: ashamed to be called; god is not ashamed; heavenly country therefore god; called their god; desire a better; now they desire
Receive the implanted word humbly and be doers of it, not hearers only.
21Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Moses chose reproach for Christ over sinful pleasure, looking to his reward.
24By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.
Fulfilling the royal law of love for neighbor; showing partiality is sin.
8If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well; 9but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.
Key phrases: according to the scripture; convicted by the law; fulfill the royal law; partiality you commit sin; really fulfill the royal; scripture you shall love
God calls the weak Gideon to deliver Israel, promising His own presence and victory.
11Now the Angel of the LORD came and sat under the terebinth tree which was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon threshed wheat in the winepress, in order to hide it from the Midianites. 12And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him, and said to him, "The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valor!" 13Gideon said to Him, "O my lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, 'Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?' But now the LORD has forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites." 14Then the LORD turned to him and said, "Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?" 15So he said to Him, "O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house." 16And the LORD said to him, "Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man."
Key phrases: abiezrite while his son; came and sat under; joash the abiezrite while; lord came and sat; midianites and the angel; sat under the terebinth
Faith without works is dead; genuine faith shows itself in caring deeds.
14What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
Key phrases: daily food and one; destitute of daily food; give them the things; needed for the body; profit thus also faith; things which are needed
Rahab confesses that the land fears Israel's God, who is God in heaven and earth.
8Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, 9and said to the men: "I know that the LORD has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you. 10"For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. 11"And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.
Key phrases: above and on earth; courage in anyone because; destroyed and as soon; dried up the water; god he is god; heard how the lord
The tongue is hard to tame and must not bless and curse; wisdom shows meekly.
7For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. 13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.
Key phrases: bitter from the same; brethren these things ought; can a fig tree; conduct that his works; done in the meekness; fig tree my brethren
David blesses God and Abigail for keeping him from bloodshed and revenge.
32Then David said to Abigail: "Blessed is the LORD God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! 33"And blessed is your advice and blessed are you, because you have kept me this day from coming to bloodshed and from avenging myself with my own hand.
Key phrases: lord god of israel
Cross-referenced from the study passage:Matthew 5:39cites 1 Samuel 25:31-34
God gives grace to the humble; submit to God, resist the devil, and humble yourselves.
6But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." 7Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double- minded. 9Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.
Key phrases: draw near to god; flee from you draw; god resist the devil; hearts you double minded; joy to gloom humble; minded lament and mourn
Elijah prays, God answers with fire, and the people confess the LORD is God.
36And it came to pass, at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, "LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word. 37"Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that You are the LORD God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again." 38Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. 39Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, "The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!"
Key phrases: consumed the burnt sacrifice; dust and it licked; fire of the lord; licked up the water; lord fell and consumed; lord he is god
Be patient until the Lord returns, avoid grumbling, and endure like Job and the prophets.
7Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. 8You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! 10My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. 11Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord-that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.
Key phrases: brethren until the coming; coming of the lord; early and latter rain; fruit of the earth; hearts for the coming; how the farmer waits
After Job prayed for his friends, God restored him and blessed his latter days abundantly.
10And the LORD restored Job's losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. 11Then all his brothers, all his sisters, and all those who had been his acquaintances before, came to him and ate food with him in his house; and they consoled him and comforted him for all the adversity that the LORD had brought upon him. Each one gave him a piece of silver and each a ring of gold. 12Now the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; for he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and one thousand female donkeys. 13He also had seven sons and three daughters. 14And he called the name of the first Jemimah, the name of the second Keziah, and the name of the third Keren-Happuch. 15In all the land were found no women so beautiful as the daughters of Job; and their father gave them an inheritance among their brothers. 16After this Job lived one hundred and forty years, and saw his children and grandchildren for four generations. 17So Job died, old and full of days.
Key phrases: adversity that the lord; beautiful as the daughters; blessed the latter days; brothers all his sisters; brought upon him each; camels one thousand yoke
God equips reluctant Moses with signs and promises to speak through his mouth.
1Then Moses answered and said, "But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, 'The LORD has not appeared to you.' " 2So the LORD said to him, "What is that in your hand?" He said, "A rod." 3And He said, "Cast it on the ground." So he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it. 4Then the LORD said to Moses, "Reach out your hand and take it by the tail" (and he reached out his hand and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand), 5"that they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you." 6Furthermore the LORD said to him, "Now put your hand in your bosom." And he put his hand in his bosom, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous, like snow. 7And He said, "Put your hand in your bosom again." So he put his hand in his bosom again, and drew it out of his bosom, and behold, it was restored like his other flesh. 8"Then it will be, if they do not believe you, nor heed the message of the first sign, that they may believe the message of the latter sign. 9"And it shall be, if they do not believe even these two signs, or listen to your voice, that you shall take water from the river and pour it on the dry land. The water which you take from the river will become blood on the dry land." 10Then Moses said to the LORD, "O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue." 11So the LORD said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the LORD? 12"Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say." 13But he said, "O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send." 14So the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and He said: "Is not Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well. And look, he is also coming out to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. 15"Now you shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth. And I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and I will teach you what you shall do.
Key phrases: anger of the lord; believe that the lord; coming out to meet; else you may send; glad in his heart; god of their fathers
God grants Moses favor and shows goodness, giving mercy by His sovereign choice.
17So the LORD said to Moses, "I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name." 18And he said, "Please, show me Your glory." 19Then He said, "I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion."
Key phrases: grace in my sight; know you by name; sight and i know; make all my goodness; show me your glory; lord said to moses
The Lord commands Israel to advance and possess the land He swore to the fathers.
5On this side of the Jordan in the land of Moab, Moses began to explain this law, saying, 6"The LORD our God spoke to us in Horeb, saying: 'You have dwelt long enough at this mountain. 7'Turn and take your journey, and go to the mountains of the Amorites, to all the neighboring places in the plain, in the mountains and in the lowland, in the South and on the seacoast, to the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon, as far as the great river, the River Euphrates. 8'See, I have set the land before you; go in and possess the land which the LORD swore to your fathers--to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob--to give to them and their descendants after them.' 9"And I spoke to you at that time, saying: 'I alone am not able to bear you.
Key phrases: great river the river; land which the lord; river the river euphrates; far as the great; side of the jordan; able to bear
God commands Joshua to be strong, promising His presence and calling him to meditate.
1After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, it came to pass that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, saying: 2"Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them--the children of Israel. 3"Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. 4"From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. 5"No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. 6"Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7"Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
Key phrases: great river the river; river the river euphrates; book of the law; far as the great; able to stand; lebanon as far
Zelophehad's daughters receive an inheritance according to the LORD's command.
3But Zelophehad the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons, but only daughters. And these are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. 4And they came near before Eleazar the priest, before Joshua the son of Nun, and before the rulers, saying, "The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brothers." Therefore, according to the commandment of the LORD, he gave them an inheritance among their father's brothers. 5Ten shares fell to Manasseh, besides the land of Gilead and Bashan, which were on the other side of the Jordan, 6because the daughters of Manasseh received an inheritance among his sons; and the rest of Manasseh's sons had the land of Gilead. 7And the territory of Manasseh was from Asher to Michmethath, that lies east of Shechem; and the border went along south to the inhabitants of En Tappuah.
Key phrases: according to the commandment; among our brothers therefore; among their father's brothers; before eleazar the priest; before joshua the son; before the rulers saying
Solomon asks God to hear and forgive when His people pray toward the temple.
27"But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built! 28"Yet regard the prayer of Your servant and his supplication, O LORD my God, and listen to the cry and the prayer which Your servant is praying before You today: 29"that Your eyes may be open toward this temple night and day, toward the place of which You said, 'My name shall be there,' that You may hear the prayer which Your servant makes toward this place. 30"And may You hear the supplication of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. Hear in heaven Your dwelling place; and when You hear, forgive. 31"When anyone sins against his neighbor, and is forced to take an oath, and comes and takes an oath before Your altar in this temple, 32"then hear in heaven, and act, and judge Your servants, condemning the wicked, bringing his way on his head, and justifying the righteous by giving him according to his righteousness. 33"When Your people Israel are defeated before an enemy because they have sinned against You, and when they turn back to You and confess Your name, and pray and make supplication to You in this temple, 34"then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of Your people Israel, and bring them back to the land which You gave to their fathers.
Key phrases: cannot contain you how; contain you how much; cry and the prayer; dwell on the earth; heaven and the heaven; heaven of heavens cannot
Cross-referenced from the study passage:Matthew 6:7cites 1 Kings 8:26-32Matthew 6:12cites 1 Kings 8:30, 1 Kings 8:34
Fleeing Jezebel, Elijah despairs; an angel twice feeds him, strengthening him for the journey.
1And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. 2Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, "So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time." 3And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. 4But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, "It is enough! Now, LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!" 5Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, "Arise and eat." 6Then he looked, and there by his head was a cake baked on coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank, and lay down again. 7And the angel of the LORD came back the second time, and touched him, and said, "Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you." 8So he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God.
Key phrases: went a day's journey; angel of the lord; ate and drank; came and sat; came back; lay down
Cross-referenced from the study passage:Matthew 5:12cites 1 Kings 19:2
Micaiah refuses to echo the prophets' flattery and vows to speak only what God says.
10The king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, having put on their robes, sat each on his throne, at a threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them. 11Now Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made horns of iron for himself; and he said, "Thus says the LORD: 'With these you shall gore the Syrians until they are destroyed.' " 12And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, "Go up to Ramoth Gilead and prosper, for the LORD will deliver it into the king's hand." 13Then the messenger who had gone to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, "Now listen, the words of the prophets with one accord encourage the king. Please, let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak encouragement." 14And Micaiah said, "As the LORD lives, whatever the LORD says to me, that I will speak."
Key phrases: spoke to him saying; king of israel; thus says the lord; saying now; lord lives
Cross-referenced from the study passage:Matthew 7:22cites 1 Kings 22:11
Job longs to meet God and trusts that, after testing, he will emerge as gold.
1Then Job answered and said: 2"Even today my complaint is bitter; My hand is listless because of my groaning. 3Oh, that I knew where I might find Him, That I might come to His seat! 4I would present my case before Him, And fill my mouth with arguments. 5I would know the words which He would answer me, And understand what He would say to me. 6Would He contend with me in His great power? No! But He would take note of me. 7There the upright could reason with Him, And I would be delivered forever from my Judge. 8"Look, I go forward, but He is not there, And backward, but I cannot perceive Him; 9When He works on the left hand, I cannot behold Him; When He turns to the right hand, I cannot see Him. 10But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. 11My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside. 12I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth More than my necessary food. 13"But He is unique, and who can make Him change? And whatever His soul desires, that He does. 14For He performs what is appointed for me, And many such things are with Him. 15Therefore I am terrified at His presence; When I consider this, I am afraid of Him. 16For God made my heart weak, And the Almighty terrifies me; 17Because I was not cut off from the presence of darkness, And He did not hide deep darkness from my face.
Key phrases: backward but i cannot; come forth as gold; commandment of his lips; departed from the commandment; fast to his steps; foot has held fast
The wicked will pass away while the meek inherit the earth and enjoy peace.
10For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more; Indeed, you will look carefully for his place, But it shall be no more. 11But the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
Key phrases: inherit the earth; little while
Cross-referenced from the study passage:Matthew 5:5cites Psalms 37:11Proverbs 3:17cites Psalms 37:11
Those who sow in tears will reap in joy, returning with rejoicing.
4Bring back our captivity, O LORD, As the streams in the South. 5Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy. 6He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves with him.
Key phrases: again with rejoicing bringing; back our captivity o; bearing seed for sowing; bring back our captivity; come again with rejoicing; continually goes forth weeping
Cross-referenced from the study passage:Matthew 5:4cites Psalms 126:5-6
Heed parental wisdom and avoid adultery, which brings ruin, reproach and destroyed souls.
20My son, keep your father's command, And do not forsake the law of your mother. 21Bind them continually upon your heart; Tie them around your neck. 22When you roam, they will lead you; When you sleep, they will keep you; And when you awake, they will speak with you. 23For the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are the way of life, 24To keep you from the evil woman, From the flattering tongue of a seductress. 25Do not lust after her beauty in your heart, Nor let her allure you with her eyelids. 26For by means of a harlot A man is reduced to a crust of bread; And an adulteress will prey upon his precious life. 27Can a man take fire to his bosom, And his clothes not be burned? 28Can one walk on hot coals, And his feet not be seared? 29So is he who goes in to his neighbor's wife; Whoever touches her shall not be innocent. 30People do not despise a thief If he steals to satisfy himself when he is starving. 31Yet when he is found, he must restore sevenfold; He may have to give up all the substance of his house. 32Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; He who does so destroys his own soul. 33Wounds and dishonor he will get, And his reproach will not be wiped away. 34For jealousy is a husband's fury; Therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance. 35He will accept no recompense, Nor will he be appeased though you give many gifts.
Key phrases: law of your mother; forsake the law; can a man; lust after; lacks understanding; own soul
Fear the LORD, avoid drunkenness and excess, honor parents, and give your heart to God.
17Do not let your heart envy sinners, But be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day; 18For surely there is a hereafter, And your hope will not be cut off. 19Hear, my son, and be wise; And guide your heart in the way. 20Do not mix with winebibbers, Or with gluttonous eaters of meat; 21For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, And drowsiness will clothe a man with rags. 22Listen to your father who begot you, And do not despise your mother when she is old. 23Buy the truth, and do not sell it, Also wisdom and instruction and understanding. 24The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, And he who begets a wise child will delight in him. 25Let your father and your mother be glad, And let her who bore you rejoice. 26My son, give me your heart, And let your eyes observe my ways.
Key phrases: begets a wise child; drunkard and the glutton; eyes observe my ways; father of the righteous; give me your heart; glad and let her
Confessing sin brings mercy; trusting the LORD prospers, while greed and partiality lead to ruin.
11The rich man is wise in his own eyes, But the poor who has understanding searches him out. 12When the righteous rejoice, there is great glory; But when the wicked arise, men hide themselves. 13He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. 14Happy is the man who is always reverent, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity. 15Like a roaring lion and a charging bear Is a wicked ruler over poor people. 16A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor, But he who hates covetousness will prolong his days. 17A man burdened with bloodshed will flee into a pit; Let no one help him. 18Whoever walks blamelessly will be saved, But he who is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall. 19He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough! 20A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished. 21To show partiality is not good, Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress. 22A man with an evil eye hastens after riches, And does not consider that poverty will come upon him. 23He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward Than he who flatters with the tongue. 24Whoever robs his father or his mother, And says, "It is no transgression," The same is companion to a destroyer. 25He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the LORD will be prospered. 26He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.
Key phrases: fool but whoever walks; heart is a fool; heart stirs up strife; lord will be prospered; prospered he who trusts; trusts in his own
Cross-referenced from the study passage:Proverbs 3:5cites Proverbs 28:26Proverbs 4:23cites Proverbs 28:26
Approach God reverently with few, careful words, since He is in heaven.
1Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil. 2Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few. 3For a dream comes through much activity, And a fool's voice is known by his many words.
Key phrases: go to the house; house of god; comes through; draw near; before god
Cross-referenced from the study passage:Matthew 6:7cites Ecclesiastes 5:2-3
The LORD defends Mount Zion like a roaring lion, delivering and preserving Jerusalem.
4For thus the LORD has spoken to me: "As a lion roars, And a young lion over his prey (When a multitude of shepherds is summoned against him, He will not be afraid of their voice Nor be disturbed by their noise), So the LORD of hosts will come down To fight for Mount Zion and for its hill. 5Like birds flying about, So will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem. Defending, He will also deliver it; Passing over, He will preserve it."
Key phrases: afraid of their voice; come down to fight; deliver it passing over; disturbed by their noise; fight for mount zion; hill like birds flying
God promises to bring Israel back from the northern lands, surpassing the memory of Egypt.
14"Therefore behold, the days are coming," says the LORD, "that it shall no more be said, 'The LORD lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of Egypt,' 15"but, 'The LORD lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north and from all the lands where He had driven them.' For I will bring them back into their land which I gave to their fathers.
Key phrases: back into their land; brought up the children; coming says the lord; egypt but the lord; israel from the land; land of the north
Israel laments its sin and desolation, pleading that the eternal LORD restore them.
16The crown has fallen from our head. Woe to us, for we have sinned! 17Because of this our heart is faint; Because of these things our eyes grow dim; 18Because of Mount Zion which is desolate, With foxes walking about on it. 19You, O LORD, remain forever; Your throne from generation to generation. 20Why do You forget us forever, And forsake us for so long a time? 21Turn us back to You, O LORD, and we will be restored; Renew our days as of old, 22Unless You have utterly rejected us, And are very angry with us!
Key phrases: generation to generation; walking about; mount zion; very angry; o lord
Daniel confesses Israel's rebellion, acknowledging God's righteousness and His mercy.
4And I prayed to the LORD my God, and made confession, and said, "O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments, 5"we have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments. 6"Neither have we heeded Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings and our princes, to our fathers and all the people of the land. 7"O Lord, righteousness belongs to You, but to us shame of face, as it is this day--to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, those near and those far off in all the countries to which You have driven them, because of the unfaithfulness which they have committed against You. 8"O Lord, to us belongs shame of face, to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, because we have sinned against You. 9"To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him. 10"We have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in His laws, which He set before us by His servants the prophets. 11"Yes, all Israel has transgressed Your law, and has departed so as not to obey Your voice; therefore the curse and the oath written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against Him.
Key phrases: people of the land; voice of the lord; lord great and awesome; covenant and mercy; prophets who spoke; servant of god
Cross-referenced from the study passage:Matthew 6:5cites Daniel 9:4
Your Father gives good things to those who ask; do to others as you wish.
11"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! 12"Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Key phrases: being evil know how; children how much more; gifts to your children; how to give good; know how to give; give good gifts
Jesus affirms devotion to His Father's business while growing in wisdom and favor.
49And He said to them, "Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" 50But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them. 51Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. 52And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Key phrases: about my father's business; heart and jesus increased; her heart and jesus; jesus increased in wisdom; kept all these things; know that i must
Cross-referenced from the study passage:Proverbs 3:4cites Luke 2:52
Jesus heals a man born blind so God's works show, declaring Himself light.
1Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. 2And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" 3Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. 4"I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. 5"As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." 6When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. 7And He said to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing.
Key phrases: eyes of the blind; asked him saying; came back; god should; disciples asked; one can
Jesus is the only way to the Father and promises the Spirit as Helper.
6Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. 7"If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him." 8Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us." 9Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'? 10"Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. 11"Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. 12"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13"And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14"If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. 15"If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16"And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever-- 17"the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18"I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
Key phrases: ask in my name; because i go; keep my commandments; pray the father; whatever you ask; most assuredly
Paul eagerly preaches the gospel, unashamed, as God's power for salvation through faith.
8First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 9For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, 10making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you. 11For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established-- 12that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. 13Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles. 14I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. 15So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also. 16For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."
Key phrases: among the other gentiles; among you also just; ashamed of the gospel; barbarians both to wise; believes for the jew; brethren that i often
Cross-referenced from the study passage:Matthew 6:33cites Romans 1:17
Christ ends the law for righteousness; confessing Jesus as Lord and believing brings salvation.
1Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. 2For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. 4For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. 5For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, "The man who does those things shall live by them." 6But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?' " (that is, to bring Christ down from above) 7or, " 'Who will descend into the abyss?' " (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." 12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved."
Key phrases: believes for moses writes; brethren my heart's desire; heart's desire and prayer; saved for i bear; writes about the righteousness; being ignorant of god's
Do not judge or make a brother stumble over food; God's kingdom is righteousness.
11For it is written: "As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God." 12So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. 13Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way. 14I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. 16Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; 17for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. 20Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. 21It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. 22Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.
Key phrases: anything to be unclean; approved by men therefore; because of your food; brother is grieved because; brother's way i know; christ in these things
Believers are God's building; each work will be tested by fire, bringing reward or loss.
9For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building. 10According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. 14If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
Key phrases: according to the grace; builder i have laid; builds on this foundation; built on it endures; christ now if anyone; clear for the day
Cross-referenced from the study passage:Matthew 7:24cites 1 Corinthians 3:10-11Matthew 7:25cites 1 Corinthians 3:13-15Matthew 7:27cites 1 Corinthians 3:13
Knowledge puffs up but love edifies; do not cause a weak brother to stumble.
1Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. 2And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. 3But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him. 4Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. 5For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), 6yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live. 7However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse. 9But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. 10For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? 11And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
Key phrases: god the father; lord jesus christ; against christ; anyone thinks; eat meat; nothing yet
Cross-referenced from the study passage:Matthew 5:30cites 1 Corinthians 8:13Proverbs 3:5cites 1 Corinthians 8:1-2
Because the dead rise, Paul risks life daily; warns against bad company, urges righteousness.
31I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 32If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!" 33Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits." 34Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.
Key phrases: company corrupts good habits; dead do not rise; deceived evil company corrupts; evil company corrupts good; men i have fought; rise let us eat
Cross-referenced from the study passage:Proverbs 4:14cites 1 Corinthians 15:33
Godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, while worldly sorrow produces death.
2Open your hearts to us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have cheated no one. 3I do not say this to condemn; for I have said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. 4Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation. 5For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears. 6Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more. 8For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while. 9Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. 10For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 11For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
Key phrases: suffer loss; every side
Cross-referenced from the study passage:Matthew 5:4cites 2 Corinthians 7:9-10
Paul rebukes Peter's hypocrisy: believers are justified by faith and crucified with Christ.
13And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. 14But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, "If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews? 15"We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 16"knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. 17"But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! 18"For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 19"For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. 20"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 21"I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain."
Key phrases: believed in christ jesus; build again those things; christ died in vain; christ therefore a minister; comes through the law; destroyed i make myself
Paul boasts only in the cross; circumcision counts for nothing, but a new creation matters.
12As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. 16And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. 17From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
Key phrases: cross of christ; lord jesus christ; christ jesus
Cross-referenced from the study passage:Matthew 6:1cites Galatians 6:12
Believers' citizenship is in heaven; follow godly examples and avoid earthly-minded enemies of the cross.
16Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. 17Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 18For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame--who set their mind on earthly things. 20For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.
Key phrases: according to the working; cross of christ; lord jesus christ; same mind
Cross-referenced from the study passage:Matthew 5:19cites Philippians 3:17-18Matthew 7:13cites Philippians 3:19
The gospel came in power; the Thessalonians turned from idols and became examples of faith.
5For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. 6And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, 7so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. 8For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. 9For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,
Key phrases: word of the lord; every place; lord having; toward god; true god; having received
The Day will not come until the lawless one is revealed; Christ will destroy him.
3Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. 5Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. 7For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. 8And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.
Key phrases: son of perdition; any means; exalts himself
The church should support true widows, while believers provide for their own households.
5Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. 6But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. 7And these things command, that they may be blameless. 8But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 9Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, 10well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work. 11But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, 12having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith. 13And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. 14Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 15For some have already turned aside after Satan. 16If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows.
Key phrases: alone trusts in god; dead while she lives; pleasure is dead while; prayers night and day; supplications and prayers night; widow and left alone
Cross-referenced from the study passage:Matthew 5:16cites 1 Timothy 5:10
Love one another, serve with gifts, and rejoice in suffering for Christ, trusting God.
8And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins." 9Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 12Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 15But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters. 16Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. 17For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18Now "If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?" 19Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.
Key phrases: dominion forever and ever; glory and the dominion; forever and ever amen; above all things; oracles of god; house of god
Those who blaspheme the LORD's name must die, so the community honors His holy name.
14"Take outside the camp him who has cursed; then let all who heard him lay their hands on his head, and let all the congregation stone him. 15"Then you shall speak to the children of Israel, saying: 'Whoever curses his God shall bear his sin. 16'And whoever blasphemes the name of the LORD shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall certainly stone him, the stranger as well as him who is born in the land. When he blasphemes the name of the LORD, he shall be put to death.
Key phrases: born in the land; children of israel saying; congregation shall certainly stone; death all the congregation; hands on his head; israel saying whoever curses
Walk carefully in all God's commands so that you may live and prosper.
32"Therefore you shall be careful to do as the LORD your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. 33"You shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess.
Key phrases: aside to the right; days in the land; left you shall walk; ways which the lord; god has commanded; prolong your days
Cross-referenced from the study passage:Proverbs 4:27cites Deuteronomy 5:32
Tribes build a witness altar to prove they worship the LORD alone, averting civil war.
21Then the children of Reuben, the children of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh answered and said to the heads of the divisions of Israel: 22"The LORD God of gods, the LORD God of gods, He knows, and let Israel itself know-if it is in rebellion, or if in treachery against the LORD, do not save us this day. 23"If we have built ourselves an altar to turn from following the LORD, or if to offer on it burnt offerings or grain offerings, or if to offer peace offerings on it, let the LORD Himself require an account. 24"But in fact we have done it for fear, for a reason, saying, 'In time to come your descendants may speak to our descendants, saying, "What have you to do with the LORD God of Israel? 25"For the LORD has made the Jordan a border between you and us, you children of Reuben and children of Gad. You have no part in the LORD." So your descendants would make our descendants cease fearing the LORD.' 26"Therefore we said, 'Let us now prepare to build ourselves an altar, not for burnt offering nor for sacrifice, 27'but that it may be a witness between you and us and our generations after us, that we may perform the service of the LORD before Him with our burnt offerings, with our sacrifices, and with our peace offerings; that your descendants may not say to our descendants in time to come, "You have no part in the LORD." ' 28"Therefore we said that it will be, when they say this to us or to our generations in time to come, that we may say, 'Here is the replica of the altar of the LORD which our fathers made, though not for burnt offerings nor for sacrifices; but it is a witness between you and us.' 29"Far be it from us that we should rebel against the LORD, and turn from following the LORD this day, to build an altar for burnt offerings, for grain offerings, or for sacrifices, besides the altar of the LORD our God which is before His tabernacle." 30Now when Phinehas the priest and the rulers of the congregation, the heads of the divisions of Israel who were with him, heard the words that the children of Reuben, the children of Gad, and the children of Manasseh spoke, it pleased them. 31Then Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said to the children of Reuben, the children of Gad, and the children of Manasseh, "This day we perceive that the LORD is among us, because you have not committed this treachery against the LORD. Now you have delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the LORD." 32And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and the rulers, returned from the children of Reuben and the children of Gad, from the land of Gilead to the land of Canaan, to the children of Israel, and brought back word to them.
Key phrases: altar of the lord; lord god of israel; against the lord; heard the words; israel the lord; land of canaan
David praises God as his rock and deliverer who rewarded his righteousness with victory.
14"The LORD thundered from heaven, And the Most High uttered His voice. 15He sent out arrows and scattered them; Lightning bolts, and He vanquished them. 16Then the channels of the sea were seen, The foundations of the world were uncovered, At the rebuke of the LORD, At the blast of the breath of His nostrils. 17"He sent from above, He took me, He drew me out of many waters. 18He delivered me from my strong enemy, From those who hated me; For they were too strong for me. 19They confronted me in the day of my calamity, But the LORD was my support. 20He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me. 21"The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; According to the cleanness of my hands He has recompensed me. 22For I have kept the ways of the LORD, And have not wickedly departed from my God. 23For all His judgments were before me; And as for His statutes, I did not depart from them. 24I was also blameless before Him, And I kept myself from my iniquity. 25Therefore the LORD has recompensed me according to my righteousness, According to my cleanness in His eyes. 26"With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful; With a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless; 27With the pure You will show Yourself pure; And with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd. 28You will save the humble people; But Your eyes are on the haughty, that You may bring them down. 29"For You are my lamp, O LORD; The LORD shall enlighten my darkness. 30For by You I can run against a troop; By my God I can leap over a wall. 31As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. 32"For who is God, except the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? 33God is my strength and power, And He makes my way perfect. 34He makes my feet like the feet of deer, And sets me on my high places. 35He teaches my hands to make war, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 36"You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your gentleness has made me great. 37You enlarged my path under me; So my feet did not slip. 38"I have pursued my enemies and destroyed them; Neither did I turn back again till they were destroyed. 39And I have destroyed them and wounded them, So that they could not rise; They have fallen under my feet. 40For You have armed me with strength for the battle; You have subdued under me those who rose against me. 41You have also given me the necks of my enemies, So that I destroyed those who hated me.
Key phrases: can bend a bow; feet like the feet; given me the shield; god except the lord; god i can leap; god is my strength
Cross-referenced from the study passage:Matthew 5:7cites 2 Samuel 22:26Proverbs 4:12cites 2 Samuel 22:37
Solomon, feeling inadequate, asks God for an understanding heart to judge His people well.
6And Solomon said: "You have shown great mercy to Your servant David my father, because he walked before You in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with You; You have continued this great kindness for him, and You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. 7"Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. 8"And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. 9"Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?"
Key phrases: because he walked before; before you in truth; between good and evil; chosen a great people; continued this great kindness; david my father because
Cross-referenced from the study passage:Proverbs 4:8cites 1 Kings 3:5-13
God promises Jeroboam ten tribes if he obeys, while preserving David's line.
35'But I will take the kingdom out of his son's hand and give it to you-ten tribes. 36'And to his son I will give one tribe, that My servant David may always have a lamp before Me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen for Myself, to put My name there. 37'So I will take you, and you shall reign over all your heart desires, and you shall be king over Israel. 38'Then it shall be, if you heed all that I command you, walk in My ways, and do what is right in My sight, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as My servant David did, then I will be with you and build for you an enduring house, as I built for David, and will give Israel to you.
Key phrases: before me in jerusalem; statutes and my commandments; walk in my ways; keep my statutes; king over israel; reign over
David is anointed king as God promised and takes Zion, the City of David.
3Therefore all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD. And they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of the LORD by Samuel. 4And David and all Israel went to Jerusalem, which is Jebus, where the Jebusites were, the inhabitants of the land. 5But the inhabitants of Jebus said to David, "You shall not come in here!" Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion (that is, the City of David). 6Now David said, "Whoever attacks the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain." And Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, and became chief. 7Then David dwelt in the stronghold; therefore they called it the City of David. 8And he built the city around it, from the Millo to the surrounding area. Joab repaired the rest of the city.
Key phrases: according to the word; attacks the jebusites first; became chief then david; built the city around; called it the city; chief then david dwelt
Under mockery and threat, the builders pray, keep watch, and keep working.
1But it so happened, when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, that he was furious and very indignant, and mocked the Jews. 2And he spoke before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, "What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they fortify themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Will they revive the stones from the heaps of rubbish-stones that are burned?" 3Now Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, "Whatever they build, if even a fox goes up on it, he will break down their stone wall." 4Hear, O our God, for we are despised; turn their reproach on their own heads, and give them as plunder to a land of captivity! 5Do not cover their iniquity, and do not let their sin be blotted out from before You; for they have provoked You to anger before the builders. 6So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. 7Now it happened, when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the walls of Jerusalem were being restored and the gaps were beginning to be closed, that they became very angry, 8and all of them conspired together to come and attack Jerusalem and create confusion. 9Nevertheless we made our prayer to our God, and because of them we set a watch against them day and night. 10Then Judah said, "The strength of the laborers is failing, and there is so much rubbish that we are not able to build the wall." 11And our adversaries said, "They will neither know nor see anything, till we come into their midst and kill them and cause the work to cease." 12So it was, when the Jews who dwelt near them came, that they told us ten times, "From whatever place you turn, they will be upon us." 13Therefore I positioned men behind the lower parts of the wall, at the openings; and I set the people according to their families, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. 14And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, "Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses." 15And it happened, when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had brought their plot to nothing, that all of us returned to the wall, everyone to his work. 16So it was, from that time on, that half of my servants worked at construction, while the other half held the spears, the shields, the bows, and wore armor; and the leaders were behind all the house of Judah. 17Those who built on the wall, and those who carried burdens, loaded themselves so that with one hand they worked at construction, and with the other held a weapon.
Key phrases: according to their families; afraid of them remember; ammonites and the ashdodites; anger before the builders; anything till we come; armor and the leaders
Nehemiah refuses his enemies' traps and asks God to strengthen his hands.
1Now it happened when Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall, and that there were no breaks left in it (though at that time I had not hung the doors in the gates), 2that Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, "Come, let us meet together among the villages in the plain of Ono." But they thought to do me harm. 3So I sent messengers to them, saying, "I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?" 4But they sent me this message four times, and I answered them in the same manner. 5Then Sanballat sent his servant to me as before, the fifth time, with an open letter in his hand. 6In it was written: It is reported among the nations, and Geshem says, that you and the Jews plan to rebel; therefore, according to these rumors, you are rebuilding the wall, that you may be their king. 7And you have also appointed prophets to proclaim concerning you at Jerusalem, saying, "There is a king in Judah!" Now these matters will be reported to the king. So come, therefore, and let us consult together. 8Then I sent to him, saying, "No such things as you say are being done, but you invent them in your own heart." 9For they all were trying to make us afraid, saying, "Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will not be done." Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.
Key phrases: cannot come down why; cease while i leave; come down why should; come let us meet; doing a great work; harm so i sent
Nehemiah refuses a fearful trap; the wall is finished by God's doing.
10Afterward I came to the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was a secret informer; and he said, "Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you; indeed, at night they will come to kill you." 11And I said, "Should such a man as I flee? And who is there such as I who would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in!" 12Then I perceived that God had not sent him at all, but that he pronounced this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. 13For this reason he was hired, that I should be afraid and act that way and sin, so that they might have cause for an evil report, that they might reproach me. 14My God, remember Tobiah and Sanballat, according to these their works, and the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who would have made me afraid. 15So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of Elul, in fifty-two days. 16And it happened, when all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations around us saw these things, that they were very disheartened in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was done by our God. 17Also in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came to them.
Key phrases: made me afraid; house of god; save his life; own eyes; would go; meet together
God wounds and heals; the afflicted find deliverance by trusting and accepting correction.
1"Call out now; Is there anyone who will answer you? And to which of the holy ones will you turn? 2For wrath kills a foolish man, And envy slays a simple one. 3I have seen the foolish taking root, But suddenly I cursed his dwelling place. 4His sons are far from safety, They are crushed in the gate, And there is no deliverer. 5Because the hungry eat up his harvest, Taking it even from the thorns, And a snare snatches their substance. 6For affliction does not come from the dust, Nor does trouble spring from the ground; 7Yet man is born to trouble, As the sparks fly upward. 8"But as for me, I would seek God, And to God I would commit my cause- 9Who does great things, and unsearchable, Marvelous things without number. 10He gives rain on the earth, And sends waters on the fields. 11He sets on high those who are lowly, And those who mourn are lifted to safety. 12He frustrates the devices of the crafty, So that their hands cannot carry out their plans. 13He catches the wise in their own craftiness, And the counsel of the cunning comes quickly upon them. 14They meet with darkness in the daytime, And grope at noontime as in the night. 15But He saves the needy from the sword, From the mouth of the mighty, And from their hand. 16So the poor have hope, And injustice shuts her mouth. 17"Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty. 18For He bruises, but He binds up; He wounds, but His hands make whole. 19He shall deliver you in six troubles, Yes, in seven no evil shall touch you. 20In famine He shall redeem you from death, And in war from the power of the sword. 21You shall be hidden from the scourge of the tongue, And you shall not be afraid of destruction when it comes. 22You shall laugh at destruction and famine, And you shall not be afraid of the beasts of the earth. 23For you shall have a covenant with the stones of the field, And the beasts of the field shall be at peace with you. 24You shall know that your tent is in peace; You shall visit your dwelling and find nothing amiss. 25You shall also know that your descendants shall be many, And your offspring like the grass of the earth. 26You shall come to the grave at a full age, As a sheaf of grain ripens in its season. 27Behold, this we have searched out; It is true. Hear it, and know for yourself."
Key phrases: affliction does not come; afraid of the beasts; age as a sheaf; beasts of the earth; carry out their plans; cause who does great
No human can contend with God, whose power and wisdom are unsearchable.
1Then Job answered and said: 2"Truly I know it is so, But how can a man be righteous before God? 3If one wished to contend with Him, He could not answer Him one time out of a thousand. 4God is wise in heart and mighty in strength. Who has hardened himself against Him and prospered? 5He removes the mountains, and they do not know When He overturns them in His anger; 6He shakes the earth out of its place, And its pillars tremble; 7He commands the sun, and it does not rise; He seals off the stars; 8He alone spreads out the heavens, And treads on the waves of the sea; 9He made the Bear, Orion, and the Pleiades, And the chambers of the south; 10He does great things past finding out, Yes, wonders without number. 11If He goes by me, I do not see Him; If He moves past, I do not perceive Him;
Key phrases: against him and prospered; answer him one time; answered and said truly; before god if one; chambers of the south; finding out yes wonders
God is David's light, strength, and shield, perfectly equipping him for battle.
28For You will light my lamp; The LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. 29For by You I can run against a troop, By my God I can leap over a wall. 30As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. 31For who is God, except the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? 32It is God who arms me with strength, And makes my way perfect. 33He makes my feet like the feet of deer, And sets me on my high places. 34He teaches my hands to make war, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 35You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great.
Key phrases: can bend a bow; feet like the feet; given me the shield; god except the lord; god i can leap; hands to make war
Do not fret over evildoers; trust, delight in, and patiently wait on the LORD.
1Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. 2For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb. 3Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. 4Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. 6He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. 7Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. 8Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret-it only causes harm. 9For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the LORD, They shall inherit the earth.
Key phrases: trust in the lord; workers of iniquity; inherit the earth; like the grass; bring forth; cut down
God sees and judges the wicked while upholding and comforting His people.
7Yet they say, "The LORD does not see, Nor does the God of Jacob understand." 8Understand, you senseless among the people; And you fools, when will you be wise? 9He who planted the ear, shall He not hear? He who formed the eye, shall He not see? 10He who instructs the nations, shall He not correct, He who teaches man knowledge? 11The LORD knows the thoughts of man, That they are futile. 12Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O LORD, And teach out of Your law, 13That You may give him rest from the days of adversity, Until the pit is dug for the wicked. 14For the LORD will not cast off His people, Nor will He forsake His inheritance. 15But judgment will return to righteousness, And all the upright in heart will follow it. 16Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? Who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity? 17Unless the LORD had been my help, My soul would soon have settled in silence. 18If I say, "My foot slips," Your mercy, O LORD, will hold me up. 19In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul. 20Shall the throne of iniquity, which devises evil by law, Have fellowship with You? 21They gather together against the life of the righteous, And condemn innocent blood. 22But the LORD has been my defense, And my God the rock of my refuge.
Key phrases: adversity until the pit; cast off his people; days of adversity until; dug for the wicked; hear he who formed; people and you fools
Cross-referenced from the study passage:Proverbs 3:11cites Psalms 94:12
God hears those in distress, delivers and satisfies them; give Him thanks.
1Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 2Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy, 3And gathered out of the lands, From the east and from the west, From the north and from the south. 4They wandered in the wilderness in a desolate way; They found no city to dwell in. 5Hungry and thirsty, Their soul fainted in them. 6Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, And He delivered them out of their distresses. 7And He led them forth by the right way, That they might go to a city for a dwelling place. 8Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! 9For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness. 10Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, Bound in affliction and irons- 11Because they rebelled against the words of God, And despised the counsel of the Most High, 12Therefore He brought down their heart with labor; They fell down, and there was none to help. 13Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, And He saved them out of their distresses. 14He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, And broke their chains in pieces. 15Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
Key phrases: darkness and the shadow; children of men; shadow of death; endures forever; give thanks; right way
Cross-referenced from the study passage:Matthew 5:6cites Psalms 107:9
God is great, gracious, and righteous, and He feeds and helps all who need Him.
1I will extol You, my God, O King; And I will bless Your name forever and ever. 2Every day I will bless You, And I will praise Your name forever and ever. 3Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable. 4One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts. 5I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, And on Your wondrous works. 6Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts, And I will declare Your greatness. 7They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness, And shall sing of Your righteousness. 8The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy. 9The LORD is good to all, And His tender mercies are over all His works. 10All Your works shall praise You, O LORD, And Your saints shall bless You. 11They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom, And talk of Your power, 12To make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, And the glorious majesty of His kingdom. 13Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And Your dominion endures throughout all generations. 14The LORD upholds all who fall, And raises up all who are bowed down. 15The eyes of all look expectantly to You, And You give them their food in due season. 16You open Your hand And satisfy the desire of every living thing. 17The LORD is righteous in all His ways, Gracious in all His works.
Key phrases: acts and the glorious; acts i will meditate; another and shall declare; bless your name forever; bowed down the eyes; compassion slow to anger
Wisdom calls the simple to heed instruction and refuse violent, greedy companions.
5A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, 6To understand a proverb and an enigma, The words of the wise and their riddles. 7The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction. 8My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother; 9For they will be a graceful ornament on your head, And chains about your neck. 10My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent. 11If they say, "Come with us, Let us lie in wait to shed blood; Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause; 12Let us swallow them alive like Sheol, And whole, like those who go down to the Pit; 13We shall find all kinds of precious possessions, We shall fill our houses with spoil; 14Cast in your lot among us, Let us all have one purse"- 15My son, do not walk in the way with them, Keep your foot from their path; 16For their feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed blood. 17Surely, in vain the net is spread In the sight of any bird; 18But they lie in wait for their own blood, They lurk secretly for their own lives. 19So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain; It takes away the life of its owners. 20Wisdom calls aloud outside; She raises her voice in the open squares. 21She cries out in the chief concourses, At the openings of the gates in the city She speaks her words: 22"How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge. 23Turn at my rebuke; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.
Key phrases: law of your mother; lord is the beginning; words of the wise; fear of the lord; forsake the law; man of understanding
Wisdom is more precious than silver, gold, and rubies, bringing long life and honor.
13Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding; 14For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold. 15She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. 16Length of days is in her right hand, In her left hand riches and honor.
Key phrases: gains understanding for her; man who finds wisdom; man who gains understanding; understanding for her proceeds; wisdom and the man; better than the profits
Wisdom and instruction are more valuable than silver, gold, and rubies.
9They are all plain to him who understands, And right to those who find knowledge. 10Receive my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold; 11For wisdom is better than rubies, And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her. 12"I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, And find out knowledge and discretion.
Key phrases: her i wisdom dwell; wisdom dwell with prudence; choice gold for wisdom; desire cannot be compared; instruction and not silver; knowledge rather than choice
Great works and pleasures prove vanity, though wisdom still surpasses folly.
3I searched in my heart how to gratify my flesh with wine, while guiding my heart with wisdom, and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the sons of men to do under heaven all the days of their lives. 4I made my works great, I built myself houses, and planted myself vineyards. 5I made myself gardens and orchards, and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. 6I made myself water pools from which to water the growing trees of the grove. 7I acquired male and female servants, and had servants born in my house. Yes, I had greater possessions of herds and flocks than all who were in Jerusalem before me. 8I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the special treasures of kings and of the provinces. I acquired male and female singers, the delights of the sons of men, and musical instruments of all kinds. 9So I became great and excelled more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. 10Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, For my heart rejoiced in all my labor; And this was my reward from all my labor. 11Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done And on the labor in which I had toiled; And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun. 12Then I turned myself to consider wisdom and madness and folly; For what can the man do who succeeds the king?- Only what he has already done. 13Then I saw that wisdom excels folly As light excels darkness.
Key phrases: before me in jerusalem; under the sun; sons of men; became great
Cross-referenced from the study passage:Proverbs 4:7cites Ecclesiastes 2:4-9
Sorrow and rebuke make the heart wise; accept both prosperity and adversity from God.
1A good name is better than precious ointment, And the day of death than the day of one's birth; 2Better to go to the house of mourning Than to go to the house of feasting, For that is the end of all men; And the living will take it to heart. 3Sorrow is better than laughter, For by a sad countenance the heart is made better. 4The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, But the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. 5It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise Than for a man to hear the song of fools. 6For like the crackling of thorns under a pot, So is the laughter of the fool. This also is vanity. 7Surely oppression destroys a wise man's reason, And a bribe debases the heart. 8The end of a thing is better than its beginning; The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. 9Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, For anger rests in the bosom of fools. 10Do not say, "Why were the former days better than these?" For you do not inquire wisely concerning this. 11Wisdom is good with an inheritance, And profitable to those who see the sun. 12For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, But the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it. 13Consider the work of God; For who can make straight what He has made crooked? 14In the day of prosperity be joyful, But in the day of adversity consider: Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other, So that man can find out nothing that will come after him.
Key phrases: adversity consider surely god; can find out nothing; crooked in the day; day of adversity consider; go to the house; god for who can
Cross-referenced from the study passage:Proverbs 4:7cites Ecclesiastes 7:12Proverbs 4:13cites Ecclesiastes 7:12
Folly ruins; wise speech and prudent labor succeed while a fool's words destroy him.
1Dead flies putrefy the perfumer's ointment, And cause it to give off a foul odor; So does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor. 2A wise man's heart is at his right hand, But a fool's heart at his left. 3Even when a fool walks along the way, He lacks wisdom, And he shows everyone that he is a fool. 4If the spirit of the ruler rises against you, Do not leave your post; For conciliation pacifies great offenses. 5There is an evil I have seen under the sun, As an error proceeding from the ruler: 6Folly is set in great dignity, While the rich sit in a lowly place. 7I have seen servants on horses, While princes walk on the ground like servants. 8He who digs a pit will fall into it, And whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a serpent. 9He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, And he who splits wood may be endangered by it. 10If the ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success. 11A serpent may bite when it is not charmed; The babbler is no different. 12The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious, But the lips of a fool shall swallow him up; 13The words of his mouth begin with foolishness, And the end of his talk is raving madness. 14A fool also multiplies words. No man knows what is to be; Who can tell him what will be after him? 15The labor of fools wearies them, For they do not even know how to go to the city! 16Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, And your princes feast in the morning!
Key phrases: cause it to give; even when a fool; flies putrefy the perfumer's; folly to one respected; give off a foul; hand but a fool's
God needs no temple; He looks to the poor and contrite who fear His word.
1Thus says the LORD: "Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? 2For all those things My hand has made, And all those things exist," Says the LORD. "But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word.
Key phrases: build me and where; where is the house; where is the place; earth is my footstool; heaven is my throne; place of my rest
Mocked and beaten for God's word, Jeremiah trusts the LORD as his mighty defender.
1Now Pashhur the son of Immer, the priest who was also chief governor in the house of the LORD, heard that Jeremiah prophesied these things. 2Then Pashhur struck Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the high gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the LORD. 3And it happened on the next day that Pashhur brought Jeremiah out of the stocks. Then Jeremiah said to him, "The LORD has not called your name Pashhur, but Magor-Missabib. 4"For thus says the LORD: 'Behold, I will make you a terror to yourself and to all your friends; and they shall fall by the sword of their enemies, and your eyes shall see it. I will give all Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall carry them captive to Babylon and slay them with the sword. 5'Moreover I will deliver all the wealth of this city, all its produce, and all its precious things; all the treasures of the kings of Judah I will give into the hand of their enemies, who will plunder them, seize them, and carry them to Babylon. 6'And you, Pashhur, and all who dwell in your house, shall go into captivity. You shall go to Babylon, and there you shall die, and be buried there, you and all your friends, to whom you have prophesied lies.' " 7O LORD, You induced me, and I was persuaded; You are stronger than I, and have prevailed. I am in derision daily; Everyone mocks me. 8For when I spoke, I cried out; I shouted, "Violence and plunder!" Because the word of the LORD was made to me A reproach and a derision daily. 9Then I said, "I will not make mention of Him, Nor speak anymore in His name." But His word was in my heart like a burning fire Shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, And I could not. 10For I heard many mocking: "Fear on every side!" "Report," they say, "and we will report it!" All my acquaintances watched for my stumbling, saying, "Perhaps he can be induced; Then we will prevail against him, And we will take our revenge on him." 11But the LORD is with me as a mighty, awesome One. Therefore my persecutors will stumble, and will not prevail. They will be greatly ashamed, for they will not prosper. Their everlasting confusion will never be forgotten. 12But, O LORD of hosts, You who test the righteous, And see the mind and heart, Let me see Your vengeance on them; For I have pleaded my cause before You. 13Sing to the LORD! Praise the LORD! For He has delivered the life of the poor From the hand of evildoers.
Key phrases: cause before you sing; cried out i shouted; derision daily everyone mocks; everlasting confusion will never; fall by the sword; fear on every side
Sow righteousness, reap mercy, and seek the LORD until He rains righteousness on you.
12Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the LORD, Till He comes and rains righteousness on you.
God promises to ransom His people from the grave and destroy death itself.
14"I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. O Death, I will be your plagues! O Grave, I will be your destruction! Pity is hidden from My eyes."
Though harvests fail, Habakkuk rejoices in the LORD, his strength and salvation.
15You walked through the sea with Your horses, Through the heap of great waters. 16When I heard, my body trembled; My lips quivered at the voice; Rottenness entered my bones; And I trembled in myself, That I might rest in the day of trouble. When he comes up to the people, He will invade them with his troops. 17Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls- 18Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 19The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer's feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills. To the Chief Musician. With my stringed instruments.
Key phrases: god is my strength; rejoice in the lord; through the sea; feet like; fig tree; cut off
Cross-referenced from the study passage:Proverbs 3:26cites Habakkuk 3:17-18
Do not worry about needs; seek God's kingdom first and trust His provision.
25"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26"Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27"Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 28"So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29"and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30"Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31"Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32"For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Key phrases: after all these things; air for they neither; barns yet your heavenly; clothing consider the lilies; field how they grow; food and the body
Jesus condemns hypocritical leaders and laments Jerusalem's rejection of God's messengers.
17"Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold? 18"And, 'Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obliged to perform it.' 19"Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift? 20"Therefore he who swears by the altar, swears by it and by all things on it. 21"He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by Him who dwells in it. 22"And he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits on it. 23"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. 24"Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel! 25"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. 26"Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. 27"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. 28"Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. 29"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, 30"and say, 'If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.' 31"Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. 32"Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers' guilt. 33"Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell? 34"Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, 35"that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. 36"Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation. 37"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! 38"See! Your house is left to you desolate; 39"for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!' "
Key phrases: altar it is nothing; appear righteous to men; beautiful outwardly but inside; blind pharisee first cleanse; bones and all uncleanness; dish that the outside
Since no one knows the hour of Christ's coming, be watchful and faithful.
33"So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near-at the doors! 34"Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 35"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. 36"But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. 37"But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38"For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39"and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40"Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. 41"Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. 42"Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. 43"But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44"Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. 45"Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? 46"Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. 47"Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods.
Key phrases: food in due season; came and took; heaven and earth; man is coming; eating and drinking; son of man
Cross-referenced from the study passage:Matthew 5:3cites Matthew 24:46Matthew 5:18cites Matthew 24:34, Matthew 24:47, Matthew 24:35Matthew 7:22cites Matthew 24:36
Faithfully use what the master entrusts; the lazy servant faces judgment.
13"Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. 14"For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15"And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16"Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17"And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18"But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money. 19"After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20"So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.' 21"His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' 22"He also who had received two talents came and said, 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.' 23"His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' 24"Then he who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25'And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.' 26"But his lord answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27'So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28'Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 29'For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30'And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
Key phrases: came and said lord; everyone who has more; hard man reaping where; knew that i reap; lazy servant you knew; money with the bankers
Cross-referenced from the study passage:Matthew 5:30cites Matthew 25:20Matthew 7:21cites Matthew 25:21
Jesus withdraws to pray, then cleanses a leper out of compassion and preaches widely.
35Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. 36And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him. 37When they found Him, they said to Him, "Everyone is looking for You." 38But He said to them, "Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth." 39And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons. 40Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, "If You are willing, You can make me clean." 41Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed." 42As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed.
Key phrases: casting out demons; hand and touched; come forth; can make
Human tradition nullifies God's word; evil comes from within the heart, not outward things.
10"For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.' 11"But you say, 'If a man says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban"-' (that is, a gift to God), 12"then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, 13"making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do." 14When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, "Hear Me, everyone, and understand: 15"There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. 16"If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!" 17When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable. 18So He said to them, "Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, 19"because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?" 20And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. 21"For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22"thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23"All these evil things come from within and defile a man." 24From there He arose and went to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And He entered a house and wanted no one to know it, but He could not be hidden.
Key phrases: anything for his father; called all the multitude; could not be hidden; down and many such; effect through your tradition; father or mother whatever
Following Christ means denying self; losing life for Him saves it.
34When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 35"For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. 36"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
Key phrases: himself with his disciples; loses his own soul; sake and the gospel's; whoever desires to come; whole world and loses; deny himself and take
Greatness means serving; radically cut off sin and keep peace among believers.
31For He taught His disciples and said to them, "The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the third day." 32But they did not understand this saying, and were afraid to ask Him. 33Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, "What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?" 34But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest. 35And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all." 36Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, 37"Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me." 38Now John answered Him, saying, "Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us." 39But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. 40"For he who is not against us is on our side. 41"For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward. 42"But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea. 43"If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched- 44"where 'Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched.' 45"And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched- 46"where 'Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched.' 47"And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire- 48"where 'Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched.' 49"For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. 50"Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another."
Key phrases: die and the fire; enter into life maimed; enter life lame rather; everyone will be seasoned; fire and every sacrifice; fire is not quenched
John demands repentance shown in fruit, including sharing with those in need.
7Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, "Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8"Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 9"And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." 10So the people asked him, saying, "What shall we do then?" 11He answered and said to them, "He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise." 12Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, "Teacher, what shall we do?"
Key phrases: came to be baptized; cut down and thrown; even now the ax; fire so the people; fruit is cut down; good fruit is cut
Jesus blesses the poor and persecuted disciples and warns the rich and self-satisfied.
19And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all. 20Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said: "Blessed are you poor, For yours is the kingdom of God. 21Blessed are you who hunger now, For you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, For you shall laugh. 22Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man's sake. 23Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets. 24"But woe to you who are rich, For you have received your consolation. 25Woe to you who are full, For you shall hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, For you shall mourn and weep.
Key phrases: multitude sought to touch; touch him for power; blessed are you poor; cast out your name; disciples and said blessed; evil for the son
Love enemies, do good to haters, and treat others as you wish to be treated.
27"But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28"bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. 29"To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. 30"Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. 31"And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. 32"But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33"And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
Key phrases: bless those who curse; cheek offer the other; cloak do not withhold; curse you and pray; either give to everyone; goods do not ask
Be merciful as the Father is; do not judge, but forgive and give generously.
35"But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36"Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. 37"Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38"Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." 39And He spoke a parable to them: "Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch? 40"A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.
Key phrases: blind lead the blind; can the blind lead; disciple is not above; everyone who is perfectly; evil therefore be merciful; fall into the ditch
Deal with your own sin before judging others; the heart's overflow reveals its character.
42"Or how can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother's eye. 43"For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44"For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. 45"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Key phrases: bad tree bear good; brother let me remove; eye for a good; eye hypocrite first remove; eye when you yourself; first remove the plank
Disciples must daily deny themselves, take up the cross, and follow Jesus.
23Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 24"For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 25"For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?
Key phrases: anyone desires to come; cross daily and follow; himself destroyed or lost; world and is himself; deny himself and take; desires to come after
Cross-referenced from the study passage:Matthew 5:11cites Luke 9:24Matthew 5:29cites Luke 9:24-25
Jesus teaches the Lord's Prayer and urges persistent prayer, trusting the Father's good gifts.
2So He said to them, "When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. 3Give us day by day our daily bread. 4And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one." 5And He said to them, "Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; 6'for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him'; 7"and he will answer from within and say, 'Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you'? 8"I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs. 9"So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10"For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 11"If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? 12"Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"
Key phrases: being evil know how; children how much more; gifts to your children; how to give good; know how to give; done on earth
Do not be anxious about needs; God provides, so seek His kingdom without fear.
22Then He said to His disciples, "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. 23"Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. 24"Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? 25"And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 26"If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? 27"Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28"If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith? 29"And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. 30"For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. 31"But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. 32"Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Key phrases: after and your father; anxious for the rest; barn and god feeds; consider the lilies how; feeds them of how; food and the body
Faithful use of entrusted resources is rewarded; the unfaithful servant forfeits them.
12Therefore He said: "A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. 13"So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, 'Do business till I come.' 14"But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him, saying, 'We will not have this man to reign over us.' 15"And so it was that when he returned, having received the kingdom, he then commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. 16"Then came the first, saying, 'Master, your mina has earned ten minas.' 17"And he said to him, 'Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.' 18"And the second came, saying, 'Master, your mina has earned five minas.' 19"Likewise he said to him, 'You also be over five cities.' 20"Then another came, saying, 'Master, here is your mina, which I have kept put away in a handkerchief. 21'For I feared you, because you are an austere man. You collect what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.' 22"And he said to him, 'Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant. You knew that I was an austere man, collecting what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow. 23'Why then did you not put my money in the bank, that at my coming I might have collected it with interest?' 24"And he said to those who stood by, 'Take the mina from him, and give it to him who has ten minas.' 25("But they said to him, 'Master, he has ten minas.')
Key phrases: another came saying master; austere man you collect; away in a handkerchief; business till i come; came saying master here; cities and the second
Jesus restores Peter through three questions, calls him to feed His sheep and follow.
15So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Feed My lambs." 16He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My sheep." 17He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep. 18"Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish." 19This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow Me." 20Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, "Lord, who is the one who betrays You?" 21Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, "But Lord, what about this man?" 22Jesus said to him, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me."
Key phrases: about this man jesus; again a second time; around saw the disciple; betrays you peter seeing; breast at the supper; death he would glorify
Cross-referenced from the study passage:Matthew 5:18cites John 21:18
God uses rejected men like Joseph and Moses to deliver His people despite human sin.
9"And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him 10"and delivered him out of all his troubles, and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house. 11"Now a famine and great trouble came over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and our fathers found no sustenance. 12"But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first. 13"And the second time Joseph was made known to his brothers, and Joseph's family became known to the Pharaoh. 14"Then Joseph sent and called his father Jacob and all his relatives to him, seventy-five people. 15"So Jacob went down to Egypt; and he died, he and our fathers. 16"And they were carried back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a sum of money from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem. 17"But when the time of the promise drew near which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt 18"till another king arose who did not know Joseph. 19"This man dealt treacherously with our people, and oppressed our forefathers, making them expose their babies, so that they might not live. 20"At this time Moses was born, and was well pleasing to God; and he was brought up in his father's house for three months. 21"But when he was set out, Pharaoh's daughter took him away and brought him up as her own son. 22"And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds. 23"Now when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israel. 24"And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended and avenged him who was oppressed, and struck down the Egyptian. 25"For he supposed that his brethren would have understood that God would deliver them by his hand, but they did not understand. 26"And the next day he appeared to two of them as they were fighting, and tried to reconcile them, saying, 'Men, you are brethren; why do you wrong one another?' 27"But he who did his neighbor wrong pushed him away, saying, 'Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? 28'Do you want to kill me as you did the Egyptian yesterday?' 29"Then, at this saying, Moses fled and became a dweller in the land of Midian, where he had two sons. 30"And when forty years had passed, an Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire in a bush, in the wilderness of Mount Sinai.
Key phrases: made you a ruler; ruler and a judge; angel of the lord; down to egypt; flame of fire; saying who made
Cross-referenced from the study passage:Matthew 5:9cites Acts 7:26
God is too great for man-made temples; heaven is His throne and earth His footstool.
47"But Solomon built Him a house. 48"However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says: 49'Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. What house will you build for Me? says the LORD, Or what is the place of My rest? 50Has My hand not made all these things?'
Key phrases: house will you build; earth is my footstool; heaven is my throne; place of my rest; footstool what house; throne and earth
Paul proclaims the risen Jesus, offering forgiveness and justification through faith.
18"Now for a time of about forty years He put up with their ways in the wilderness. 19"And when He had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He distributed their land to them by allotment. 20"After that He gave them judges for about four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. 21"And afterward they asked for a king; so God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22"And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, 'I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.' 23"From this man's seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior-Jesus- 24"after John had first preached, before His coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25"And as John was finishing his course, he said, 'Who do you think I am? I am not He. But behold, there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.' 26"Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent. 27"For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him. 28"And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death. 29"Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. 30"But God raised Him from the dead. 31"He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people. 32"And we declare to you glad tidings--that promise which was made to the fathers. 33"God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.' 34"And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus: 'I will give you the sure mercies of David.' 35"Therefore He also says in another Psalm: 'You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.' 36"For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption; 37"but He whom God raised up saw no corruption. 38"Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; 39"and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Key phrases: land of canaan; law of moses; put to death; everyone who believes; fear god; god raised
Cross-referenced from the study passage:Matthew 6:10cites Acts 13:22Matthew 6:12cites Acts 13:38
Gentiles gladly receive the gospel while Jewish opponents persecute Paul and Barnabas.
42So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. 43Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. 44On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. 45But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. 46Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. 47"For so the Lord has commanded us: 'I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.' " 48Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. 49And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region. 50But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 51But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium. 52And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Key phrases: ends of the earth; word of the lord; word of god; grace of god; god should; eternal life
Cross-referenced from the study passage:Matthew 7:6cites Acts 13:45-47
Believers died to sin with Christ and should live as slaves of righteousness.
6knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. 15What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! 16Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? 17But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.
Key phrases: alive from the dead; body that you should; dead and your members; dead indeed to sin; death that he died; died to sin once
Believers should settle disputes within the church, since they are washed and justified.
1Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? 2Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? 4If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge? 5I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren? 6But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers! 7Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? 8No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren! 9Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. 12All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
Key phrases: angels how much more; another go to law; any of you having; esteemed by the church; go to law before; having a matter against
Church leaders accept Paul's gospel to Gentiles; Titus is not forced to be circumcised.
1Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me. 2And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain. 3Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 4And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), 5to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. 6But from those who seemed to be something--whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no man-for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me. 7But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter 8(for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), 9and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.
Key phrases: truth of the gospel; run in vain; among the gentiles; any means; god shows; should go
Cross-referenced from the study passage:Matthew 7:15cites Galatians 2:4
Christ's single sacrifice perfects believers; willful sin brings judgment, so persevere.
9then He said, "Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God." He takes away the first that He may establish the second. 10By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, 13from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. 14For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. 15But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before, 16"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them," 17then He adds, "Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more." 18Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin. 19Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. 26For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? 30For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. And again, "The LORD will judge His people." 31It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Key phrases: two or three witnesses; hand of god; son of god; house of god; high priest; hold fast
God keeps believers from stumbling and presents them faultless; give Him glory.
23but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh. 24Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, 25To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.
Key phrases: exceeding joy
Cross-referenced from the study passage:Matthew 6:4cites Jude 1:24
The glorified, living Christ comforts John and commissions him to write what he sees.
14His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 16He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. 17And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 18"I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. 19"Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.
Key phrases: fell at his feet; first and the last; flame of fire; many waters; take place; right hand
Cross-referenced from the study passage:Matthew 6:13cites Revelation 1:18